A tale of two cities by CSE, New Delhi

I could not resist to relay story by CSE, New Delhi worth reading by fellow planners, Thanks to them..

EDITORIAL: A tale of two cities 
by Sunita Narain
======================================================
I travelled to two different cities in two different states last week—Indore and Guwahati. I came back with images identified by common distinctions: piles of garbage and glitzy new shopping malls. Is this our vision of urban development? There is no question that cities are imploding; growth is happening faster than we ever imagined. Construction is booming and expansion is gobbling agricultural land.

But the quality of life is no better. In most parts there is traffic, dust, air pollution and most of all the chaos of unplanned growth. Road expansion is eating up lines of shady trees—in Guwahati I saw the most majestic trees hacked down mercilessly. The city’s lungs are going, and so are its sponges, as waterbodies are making way for buildings. In Indore its residents will tell you that the names of the colonies are the names of the lakes they are built on. In Guwahati, the airport has been built by killing the grand Deepor beel. First a road was built (obviously without culverts to channelise the water), then as the waterbody died, it was filled to undertake new construction. This year, as always, Guwahati airport was flooded and air traffic disrupted.

The two cities are different ecosystems, so they should have had different water and waste issues. One is located in the relatively dry Malwa plateau and the other in the high-rainfall region on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra. But both cities have acute water stress, even as rain leads to swamping of cities, disrupting life and destroying property. Both cities have no water culture. Both are drowning in their waste.

Indore, because of its location, had a rich tradition of lakes. Rain water was harvested and stored in structures, which recharged groundwater. Then, in 1977, the city brought Narmada water from some 110 km to the city. Indore should have had enough to drink and to swim. But 35 years later, the water has still not reached all distribution pipelines. Over 50 per cent of the 172 million litres per day of water it sources is lost in distribution, which means there is far more costs but far less water to supply. The city water utility has no money to repair and extend its water system. It spends all it has and more in just electricity costs of bringing the water. Politicians are vying with each other to bring the water from the Maheshwar dam. The recent jal samadhi by the Maheshwar dam-displaced has met with enormous anger from Indore’s power elite. They say they need the dam’s water at all costs. They do not care if the people, whose land has been submerged by the dam, have not received compensation or been resettled.

The same power elite never demand systems to deal with the sewage they flush out of their homes. In Indore, the sewage system was constructed in 1936 at the time of the Holkars. Independent Indore has added to it insignificantly. The bulk of the sewage pours into its rivers, Khan and Saraswati, and Piliyakhal Nullah, untreated. It forgets that the Khan pollutes the Kshipra; the main water source of the neighbour, Ujjain.

Guwahati is no different. When I went in early October, floods were still ravaging the city. This was the third pulse of flooding, which began in early June. Residents explained that the intensity and duration of floods had made life impossibly difficult. They also spoke of desperate water shortages in this region of plenty. Worse, life-giving water is now the cause of diseases—death by dengue fever was top news in Guwahati.

This is when both cities have options to do things differently. They are yet to build all their homes, roads and water and sewage systems. They can execute a plan, which allows them to modernise but with quality of life intact and even better. This requires not to want to grow in the way Delhi, Mumbai or any other “old-growth” city has.

For instance, they should not repeat the mistake of allowing fleets of cars to take over their roads. Indore was an enlightened city to plan for a bus-based future. Some years ago it invested in new buses, rationalised routes, created systems for efficient operation and put GPS in place to track and inform customers. Now cost of bus fuel is up, fares have not been revised and buses are losers. Still the majority of the city population rides or walks, even though the city’s footpaths are long gone. Indore is now building a bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor. It has a many foreign and Indian consultants to design the system but the people of Indore have no idea what is being proposed and why BRT is important. So they already hate it.

Guwahati’s footpaths are gone as well, taken over by mounds of garbage. The city has taken the route of its bigger cousins. It has put the task of garbage disposal out to a concessionaire, who, it hopes, will sweep the city clean. It does not. Instead, Guwahati could collect, segregate and compost garbage at the household level. It could reserve areas in colonies for environmental services. This way it would not have to first collect and then transport the waste. It would not have to live in filth.

In the end Indore and Guwahati will be the creations of their people. The only question is whether they will be dreams or nightmares. 

You can post your comments on this editorial online at http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/tale-two-cities

Assertion towards a Secular State

Electoral Politics has time and again have evoked the divisionary practice of claiming India desired to be a 'Hindu Nation'. The BJP though much improvised than its earlier party objectives today concentrates more on the development issues. This must prove that India even though has see communal politics remain extremly tied up with its secular credentials. Though the party in power such as in Gujarat state in all their activities symbolised and used representation by and large dipicting their desire to become a Hindu' centric state government. The use of Kalash (to mark Golden Jublee) and naming of government schemes all emerged from textbook referring to a particular culture. Even Ahmedabad for its projection as a city lost its traditional cultural land marks to the new to derecognise the its history.

Secularism to right wingers have been a hoax call by those who are non-worshippers remain still orthodox in their thinking about the religious paradox.  Ultimately its the secular politics which got wide acceptence in very rightly tilted political parties. The experiments so called with the right wing parties by the organisation claiming to representing the right wing ideologies failed to check the development politics and remodified version of 'Garbi Hatao' with 'Kalyan Melas' of present governments. 

Though the divisionary politics are still being played by all the political parties, the essence of India remains in accepting the people at its face value not from their background. This is good for young India who would be looking forward to see things from being Indian not belong to A, B or C group. Do we have any sureity in assigning the belief that the right wing parties may not start again with communal politics? I belive little their action in past years show that they would not follow shadow game of communal divisions, initiated by the Britishers against the Indian people post 1857. The policy of 'Divide and Rule' continues even with the political parties.

Markandey Katju, esteemed ex supreme court judge mentions following description of Secularism,
'Secularism does not mean that one cannot practise one’s religion. Secularism means that religion is a private affair unconnected with the state, which will have no religion.'
(Markandey Katju is a retired judge of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the Press Council of India)

But we also know the Govts in Gujarat, MP and Chhattisgarh has different religion, which is Secular.

Shashikant

Distribute Goodies to Electorate and get votes

Elections are too far since the it has not been announced in Gujarat or in other parts of country. The state parties are busy distributing goodies (pots, cycle, vollyballs, bags etc) to the people to lure them to votes. This is apart from the hosts of Garib Kalyan Melas which allowed the state (no the political master) to distribute from his able hands. With all the melas, we may not believe that we are living in developed state. The state which host Vibrant Gujarat and boasts of double digit growth is not shying away from accepting the poverty in the state and makes sure the identified poor by the party workers gets the goodies.

The days of simple political gimmicks have taken over by presenting doles to the eligible voters, even the opposition congress is not behind they have been making promises to give home, laptops, and other articles to their loyal voters. Money can buy anything, Is that the mantra for parties to come to power. Shameless people who would be enticed by the offers cannot resist and why should they, given the horrible state of public life with ever increasing prices. The responsibilities are given to center for the state's apathy and state takes pride in conducting the campaign for general election (which is two years away!!). Is it well timed or BJP is expecting early elections in state.

One thing is common the nature of political class has not been changing, the world may look at India from the pretext of developing nation, the country does not want to claim any status. The political class wants the nation to remain backward and not questioning on their intention, so what if some goods are distributed, poor fellow do they have any questions or doubt about their governments. Its good that they sleep over the state of affairs in state, the media might shell out some news for them to draw some opinion.

The festive season in country has just started with arrival of Ganesha, the political parties would and are exploiting to bring home their points, and so is ideological warfare claiming to be with people, praying to god to save the nation. Thats too much to accept the fate of people without their participation, else let them glue to that 'idiot box'.

Electoral agents would be now hacking the accounts of the individuals lottering on cyberspace for more data on youth behaviour setting campaign (digital and virtual). Let some party also distribute online gaming tools to youngistan to play with political masters. The net savvy politicians have even lot left medium to be free, they have jumped on passing judgements on the issues even those which are pending in courts, they rightly feel the best judge are the people and its now easy to bribe them. Ganesha says, You must be fool enough to discuss all these, the jokers in the game know when to play, which may spoil the opposition. People must be heard not to hate but to work.

Pre-conditioning for Election: Early risers

Strange Indian Politics have been observed during last six months, national parties preparing seriously for elections schedule well two years from now! the confidence of the parties seems to be little on accepting the challenge at the right time. The spending on elections or related propaganda materials are on full swing. This is a shift from the politics of yesterdays in past when few months before election political parties would come and work for elections.

The state elections are here and so is the choice for National elections, there is chance for early risers to fatigue out once the national election approaches or Is our national schemes of development targets run election to election, (we might not have five years plan then!!). Let planners work under leadership of PM (elected) and party president in power to plan for country. The state level CMs can also have plan to fight elections from day one once they get elected, (since that seems to be reality) which would make really interesting to be very objective.

The state elections such as in Gujarat is perceived to be mini elections or referendem on the personality or cult politics shaped by leading national parties. Development debates take back step against the managerial and operational issues. Fight along with media lobbies carries forward the warring parties to the people. Opinion makers are brought and sold via media to facilitates electors mind, though suitable marketing techniques are also used to bring home the points.

Public service or working for the larger masses goals of the politicians have transformed into the power - capturing strategies typically corporatization of Indian political system. A series of corporate efforts are made to achieve the targets set by the national committiees, do we need to confirm with democratic setup of parties. Democracy if taken for granted as conceived by early learders through our contitution has recieved its setback recently. Why do not we think to encourage or change the system (may be presidential form ) to accept the reality thrown by globalisation of Indian politics. We are aping the west (now extreme west, USA) for political behaviour.

Least the behaviour of politicians is coming up like fighting WWF sportsmen, with thumping of chest with war cry makes the politics helarious with one challenging others to take the ring and have fight (though political). Ideological differences are not accepted but abused and scolded openly against the political differences. The media is happy to receive 24 hours content and politicians at the national and state levels are eager to supply the bites required to hoodwink the governance over the political ideologies. The character of nation as enshrined in constitution suffers serious setback.

Politics of Decentralization and Center

The nature of citizenship offered by India is universal and sub-nationalism was in background when India  adopted new constitution and emerged as a nation state decades ago. The nationalism was fueled by the then freedom fighters and decision makers at the national and state level politics. What ever may be their party affiliation  the concern for nation for the priority, the states were not developed to have become an independent economic strength. The national priorities were together and distributed across the nation with clear mandate to provide boost to economy- including agriculture and industry dedicated to the nation. The national goals are set by the then leaders and obidiantly being followed till the rise of new India post 1991.

The decentralisation of power with centre leaving the development turf to the state, and state governments joining the free market economy to take charge of their development. It was so good to feel the new power of the state, but it also added downfall of the centre both economically and politically. As a nation state the control of centre is limited and state's are running for the money. But till this time all states were not ready for the freedom it has taken almost a decade for the poor states to rise from the ashes.

The states like UP, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan has increasingly being now prepared to join the league of developed states like Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana etc. Much needs to be done in order to be attractive for the outsiders, instead the growth in these states would arrest the mass exodus of population to the developed state. In more cases, the developed state might loose some shine due to initial labour shocks.

The politics of nation is also allude the centre-state relationships with little over 10 states, leaders have no ambition to join national politics, its marred with difficulties, its now very tough to be raise a national party. Except, Congress and BJP to an extent has been successful in holding the turf, but badly challenged in their respective party ruled states.

Development policies of centre is more advisory then authentic show of nationalistic flavour, and states often do not offer centre favourable ground, central agencies across states find it difficult to work with state governments. Railways is best example to show the politics of decentralisation and hurdles both sets of government puts to one another.

A state leaders no matter how good they are in administrator or being popular in public finds very difficult to find acceptence at the national level. Its difficult to find national leaders acceptable at the state politics, take case of communist leaders (central and states) they are different roles and destinations.

Party politics for long has used the state has ground to work as national leaders, the nation logic has been used to promote the party ideologies, but in practice the state's across the nation had become laboratories of such ideologies such as Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Tamil Nadu. Most of the these ideologies ruled by different parties find it difficult to be adopted at the national level.

May be time has also come to review and research on the subject.

Low Unemployment and Heavy Investment Strategy for Gujarat?

The latest reports of Ministry of Labour Government of India, projects Gujarat as least unemployment in country. This is also contrast to high investment opportunity being offered in the state. How sustainable would be investment in absence of labour shortage. Given the huge investment promises and related land utilization or intention to use 1000 ha of land for the projects in leiu of the employment where are the labour. There is feeling in the state that too much capital flow in absence of manpower, can spell disaster for the state. Given the migration flows, even declining from across the states in country, a huge rural-urban population shift has happened since 1991 till 2011 where is scope for further demographic adjustment in next decade. A urbanisation fueled by investment in infrastructure courtsey the JnNURM and UIDSSMT scheme the migration to cities from the rural hinterland has been rising high. Moreover there is talk of setting up the Special Investment Regions (12-13) in the state to serve the special economic zones and also to act as independent cities, where are the people? The government is invested a bit high on the much talked Dholera SIR, but prospects for the 'peopling' i.e., shifting of the people to these destinations seems to be weak. What than is the task ahead for the Government and industry investors given the shortage of labour as predicted by many? The over reliance on the external migratory tendency would be misjudged as too ambitious given the development projects, and investment happening in rapid pace in neighbouring Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat needs to look some where else to source labourer or the industry needs to be prepared for the high labour costs.

A big change in the income levels due to rise in investments and surplus for disposal in the developed districts of the state is indicator for the line of actions government should be ahering before its too late. Gujarat remains now less attractive given its falliability to eminent crisis in future. It would be interesting to revive the argument in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat.

MUP Admissions, APIED, VV Nagar

Bhaikaka Centre for Human Settlement, APIED,

Sardar Patel University (V.V. Nagar) ANAND

Masters in Urban Planning

(Recognized by Institute of Town Planners India, ITPI, New Delhi)

Applications Invited from eligible candidates for the Masters in Urban Planning (MUP) full time course. Following are the details;

Course Duration : two years (Four Semister)

Eligibility: B.Arch/B.E.(Civil)/MA/MSC in Economics/Sociology/Geography or other equivalant degree specified in admission brouchure.

Tentative Admission Schedule: Application Acceptence: Last week July/Admission - 1st Week Aug.

For More information call

Shashikant Kumar

Course Coordinator (MUP)

09898353419

www.apied.edu.in

State Vs State Politics of Bandh

The bandh called by opposition parties in India has now active support of the state governments, the states ruled by the opposition parties irrespective of the nature of call, are glued to party ideologies rather than responsible state governments. The state v/s state in the fight between centre and state parties led to division of polity and marred with illusion of the governments across the country. How can state government support a bandh called to opposed a central government decision? How does the tier of the government functions? Is democracy is responsible for these incidents. Whether you are in support of the price rise or against if you happen to live in the opposition ruled state the chances of you doing normal business during 'bandh' call is null. There is no opposition to such an directives in the state, the system in the states like West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu etc would support such bandh. Does this mean we are still living in draconian era of British raj? The polity of nation, with such a polarization has gone too far in addressing the needs of 'common men'. The losses suffered by the state would be much larger than the profits to be earned by the petroleum companies. The taxes (VAT) levied by state itself on the petroleum products show no respite in bringing down, thus making this support to nationwide strike an hoax.

What more you can ask from the central government, despite the deregulation on the pricing of the petroleum, the politics of the nation since 1970s revolves around controlling it. The magnitude of the problem is not the price rise per se, but the manner in which it was bending to the demands of the marketing companies. The international performance of the Rupee against the dollar might also trigger the reduction in the profits of the oil companies in long run. There is no doubt on the concerns of the opposition parties, but this is time to rethink on the policy of state support to such bandh.Whether we like it or not these strike once supported by the opposition ruled states shows the extreme polarisation and real loss of communication between the centre and states. The idea of using non-conventional energy sources for the majority of the activities needs to be promoted and also the reduction in consumption of fuel needs to be encouraged.

The politics over the petroleum products would take undue turn in case there is real crisis in terms of balance of payments, governments would be in fix in order to bring regulation in the market. The large share of oil imports would become negative to the political climate in country with more control on the products such crisis as of today i.e. 31 may 2012 can not be ruled out. Tomorrow what happens when centre deregulates the pricing of petroleum products, the politics of nation would be less spicy. What to say, can we afford the state vs state fight in infringe on the governance system where centre and state has to support each other on the key policy matters. Let the political parties debate on the rise but calling or supporting the bandhs by the states should be regarded as unconstitutional!!

New Political Dharma of NDA

The NDA seems to have been wearing shoes of Communist Party of India (M), while the nation grapples with the price hike (though we thought the NDA agreed to decontrol the petrol prices by Government of India, the sector is still in the clutches of government. Given the decontrol regime the prices of the essentials are well within control, the petroleum sector now dominated by major corporates even NDA would not be able to live without pleasing its corporate funders. The comparative prices of the petroleum products under the free market economy is controlled by the corporates. The subsidy components offered to the citizens of India were to be phased out, but could not happens sans the political will of the parties in power and opposition.

Now after recent hike the NDA would be on the roads, and so would be our 'poor' middle class. The traditional congress bashing and credit of price rise would be going to core group of Government of India. From Corruption the country is diverted to petrol price hike..do you see politcal angle...let the new poster boy of BJP handle the situation, and leave the sulking grand old man of BJP aside.

Hail the champion of 'Party with Difference'

Truth Prevails..or Ignorance

Development issues or those concerning the masses are seldom being discussed in the public domains where commons are more busy about looking life and beyond the ordinary life. The recent TV show Satyamev Jayate hosted by Amir Khan holds discussion and brings issues common to the concerns of those into the development works. The tasks scientifically performed by organisations such as Population Councils, Planning Commission, Pollution Control Board etc who seldom produce the results in the language most understood by the men on the street. The TV show is welcome step towards looking at the issues from the different prism. Many concerns related to society which remains to be driven by highly technical talks by the experts needs to be told to citizens of the country. Their concerns and activities goes beyond nominal corruption, the people are poorly aware about the functioning of parliaments, operations of MNC, trading of stock, banks, insurance companies. The bottom line is that many of these functions are poorly managed and some times people ignore the realities behind the scenes. The ignorance of the people or deliberate omission of the resposibilities acts like a twin sword on the development agenda.

How many of us know that urban local bodies needs to conduct Area Sabhas (like Gram Sabha) to take opinion of citizens on development issues?

Crores of Rupees are spend on the cities and citizens are charged through taxes but we have not bothered to ask questions on how and why such an project?

Participation of citizens for the development projects remains to be just beneficiaries only, the people who are left out has not much concerned to the activities or planning for their own cities. Do we mean all these money or expenditure done by the governments, people have no role?

Prices of properties across the cities are rising steeply. Do we think the middle class even with the monthly take of 10,000-25000 would be able to purchase property in metropolitan cities?

Answers are difficult to find, there are layers of activities, it would be wise for the TV shows to inform the public on truth behind the scenes. Rest let them be ignored for their own plight.

Development erodes your past...

As it is true for the community development programs, the image make over of the CM Modi in Gujarat had been immense. For the worse nightmares of 2002 to the giagentic development projections of 2012, the state has moved ahead to bulldoze any defamation sought after the Godhra and its aftermath. Despite the thousands of rims have been written accusing the CM, he has staged a clear win over his rivals. Many may not like it this way, but not many would also like to punish the CM who has benefitted the citizens of state he is being cherished as Gujarat no Sher. There are people who with real passion for the secularism have backtracked given the frontal attack by the RSS, BJP and other friends. The ideologies produced for the political gain have succeded in polarisation of the societies and now the state against the centre. The notion of state verses central if it limited to political lobies its okay but it has traversed its path towards the general public, hoardings and banners have come out in support or opposing the claims by the centre and state. Who has the authority on the state is clear Round -I Mr. CM has won over the centre's so called the weak PM. The personal attack has become talk of the political circles if you do not like my thought just go out and bark somewhere else.

Nothing happens so as to unplease Mr. Modi, he feared and respected as Uncle SAM, the streets are well praising the Namos success, the past has given to the ghost to talk about till the table is turned. Not for sure in next election.

Hail the ruler.. Hail the Namo Kings Amen!!

Dream Merchants: Dharavi Unmarked

Dharavi represents the class conflicts and the lust for the land grabber with slew of promises to the slum dwellers, during the last ten years scores of architects and planners have landed in Dharavi each promising them better life than another. The state government going with the wind pledged investment to the tune of 15000 crores just to see the face of Dharavi lifted from being 'Slum' to an 'elite' areas with all the modern amenities and lifestyle. Rather than listning to what the learned professionals were saying and people in the slum tend to believe in themselves have rejected the lure by the developers. The people who had planned heavens for them are lingering again to adjust their plan as per the peoples wishes, but there is not a end to their desires.

The urban elitists who would otherwise have shunned the slum dwellers are vying for their precious land, just to justify their investments. The combination of professionals makes them deadly in the sense that they have counted themselves as 'stakeholders' and have forgotten about the people. The numerous design awards for the space design had really place excitment over the place but counter arguments and so called stakeholders veto the decisions. Thus there is hangover of the desingers looming large over the space and people repeatdly confronting them of the why and how. May be the manner in which the Slum Rehabilitation Schemes have progressed in Mumbai where in the developers and builders have chance to grab the land and give some peanuts to the people. The people who they have termed illigal and unwanting on not so precious at another site and place here they have been cajoled to shall out the peice of land for the neo-rich where they agree to stay with providing identical settings for the slum dwellers.

Mr. Architect, turned back from US now, looks for green pastures outside the Dharavi, where to go now, ten years of wait has made the life of his firm on backseat with state governments not promising any action, these dream merchant is now selling spree on other parts of country. Here comes the big stakeholders, do you know what slum rehabilitation is like...just a peice of concrete and nothing more. The image of city, without Dharavi will be no diffrent there are fifty more in making...some more thought making your city 'Slum free' just ignore them!

Electoral Politics: Cult Personality and Development

Indian political system has followed election to election development model whereas the planning commission have different timings. The plan initiated by one government in power during planning state is never fully implemented if another party comes to power during a plan period. The eye for the election victory is so strong that the politicians by nature is in denieal mode while looking for the develoment opportunity (for their own party and collegues). The loyality to the party is stronger than the nation, the gag orders within the party says it all. The near polarisation of the parties on the ideological lines have drawn sords within the political system.

This is not good for the development politics in the country. Strong political masters, such as Smt. Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh, J.Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu, Narendra Modi in Gujarat and Nitish Kumar in Bihar. They all make or break for their ideologies and party which allows them to work in their states to save their party in coming elections. In this process, one may think the state has grown, which is more towards the party in power. The actors like IAS babus and state admininstrators have to follow the party line while dealing with the issues. Mostly the respective CM dictates what needs to be done and followed by the masses. The rule of law, and their obidient policemen/women follow the 'CM Saheb' or Maam while leading the masses to places, while they are made to appreciate, present a united front and attend all sundry functions to please the masters.

The election politics, though have reached a pinnacle the state governments have no more showing any restraints in respecting the central government (belonging to a national party). The center-state relations can now be looked from the same party and other party relations, as if the maharajas used to look at the friendly and non to friendly states. The opposition rules states like UP, Gujarat etc would vie for their genuine rights, but the centre may decline. The CM then tend to go public about the centers wrong doing, vexing the whole relation into the anti state.

In the era of national movement, the state were made to be part of the fedral characteristcs if the country, the recent upheavel in the state demand for more autonomy and freedom to deal with their issues would be bad for India. The ideological pinning of the citizens of India on the party line is open ended question which has positive as well as negative fall out. Even urban elites in the states are made to sit long hours (including intellectuals from state, universities, schools, corporates) are officially told to remain present during CM chanting about the ills of center. All may look good from a distance, but this would result in weaknening of the national character.

Admininstration have moved into the politics of party in power, the district collectorates, municipal bodies and local bodies are told to follow the party line or remain defunct (lack of fund and state support). The institution funded by the state cannot afford to make state government (aka the party in power) angry, for its peaty ideological mindset. Much so the institutions promoted by the congress elites or Gandhians have been taken over by other party representatives. Making it an ideological 'Bhel', the institutions do not want to stick to starting point and made to follow new line.

This is outcome of the cult politics in country...

Looking for Urban Form by Physical Planners

Urban form an outcome of utilization of urban space by the people resulting in distribution of density and infrastructure. A recent discussion on the sustainable urban form held at Ahmedabad by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and their partners SPA Delhi and CEPT Ahmedabad tried to showcase their physical planning talent. They emphasised on the physical density of space and infrastructure planning which considered to be important for the resulting urban form. The city urban form - a study initiated by the UK based reserach group through tried to present the thesis that urban form is resultant outcome of various factors, physical, social and economic, the national level institutes failed to conceptualise the studies. The analysis though seems to be undergoing the directions for such urban form studies are dominated by the physical urban planners. The cities and their form is not outcome of intellegent planning but is result of urban geographies, economy, sociology and behaviour of the people. The policy decisions are used to guide the plans but its people who choose to the manner they want to use their lands. The planning communities have failed to scientifically explain the present urban form rather jumps too fast on making the new plans and policy. The analysis for the present city forms were missing in the current studies at the national level, the content of the works intended to prepare the National urban form guidelines didnot have any scientifc basis except the physical interplay between the density which is an outcome of land utilization. The stress on the allowing or restricting the mixland use in the cities are discussed at length, but with little theoritical backing explainations were hard to give.

The cities in India have been focussing on the infrastructure plans in the city development plans which in any case cannot be regarded as authentic planning excercise. Its neither traditional nor looking for sustainable approach to planning, just become a funding tools for the state. The current applied sciences should intervene the planning process in order to save it self from the intellectual lethargy while studying the cities. The planning community have failed to explain the city form and directions with the scientific methods, rather they are good at explaining the policies by using the same methods. The structured approach to planning systems are missing and yet the decisions are taken too fast. Take for example the recent planning of Dholera SIR in Gujarat, where in the physical planners are going for 2 million plus cities, where in its expected to populated in coming years (100 years!!). This is within reach from Ahmedabad, a million plus city, how this would be feasible to relocate or expect huge migrant movement out of nothing. The physical planners have already beguin to plan for the people, wherein nobody exists and look for heavy investments by realtors. The claim of the planners in this context is huge masterplan indicating the role of state which has evidently emerged as real estate agent. The lack of people participation and information is resulting in utter chaos in planning system, some results are good, but most are expected to be poor thought for the future.

Displaced and Lost: Victims of Land Acquisition

Ranchi, Jan 4 (ANI): Displacement, a major problem in Central Asia, has, over the "developing" years, spread its roots intensely in Indian sub-continent. It has been 64 long years that its central regions are bearing the brunt of land acquisition for development.

History of the "Land of Forest" Jharkhand is no different rather more difficult. Post Independence, several thousand people from hundreds of villages in Jharkhand were forced to leave their villages, half of which are represented by women.

Like a thread, when powerfully pulled out of a fabric tears it apart, these displaced women who were forced to move from one place to another, were torn apart from their families, culture and above all their identity. Be it Government or non- Government organizations, no one has concrete data regarding these displaced women and no one actually is bothered to identify and rehabilitate them.

However in the recent past, initiatives of few strong women Dayamani Barla, Munni Hansda and Pushpa Aaind, has raised a voice against the tragedy. Barla set a commotion against Mittal and Jindal in Torpa village of Khunti Block. Her agitation forced the culprits to leave the land of hundreds of villagers. Similarly, in Santhal Parangna of Dumka district, Munni Hansda carried out anti- displacement demonstration that led her to jail. In Karkara division of Khunti block, Pushpa Aaind saved her indigenous land from Mittal by creating upheaval against the displacement.

HEC, Bokaro Thermal, Tenughat Dam, Maithan Dam, Kutku Dam, Netarhat Field Firing Range, Koylakaron Hydroelectric Project, Tata Steel, Chandil Dam are the big names which have been the reason behind the displacement of most of the people in Jharkhand that continues to happen till date, latest example being the displaced communities of Islam Nagar and Nagababa Khatal in Ranchi.

Displacement, altogether, is a very cruel process. Over the night, the inhabitants are displaced, houses are run over by bulldozers and the acres of villages are destroyed in a flash. From kids to elders to women, no one is spared. Widows, the silent inhabitants, are worse affected as no one is there to fight for their right and no one bothers to compensate for their land.

More or less, the situation is similar in almost every village of the state that has been dislodged. According to the statistics available, 1981-1985 was the period when various coalmines in the state displaced approx 180000 people, out of which only 11901 people were given the job.

Out of the total displaced families, one family member of only 36.34 percent families got the promised job. There are ample examples to suggest that the excuse of "Development of the country" given for advent of industrialization and mines in the state in reality is linked to the "Development" of big industrialists, selected bureaucrats and contractors and a few big businessmen only. 15 lakh out of 72-90 lakh displaced belong to tribal community. Only 25 percent of the entire unfortunate displaced population was provided with some kind of shelter.

The people displaced by HEC - Ranchi's first industrial unit post liberation, have not been rehabilitated so far. Both state and central government have turned a deaf ear to their cries. Out of 36 villages displaced, 13 were completely destroyed while rest were partially shuffled. In the rehabilitation process, women were left out completely. Not even a single woman was offered job.

The promises given by government before acquiring the land were all crushed. As a result, the helpless relocated families have to live on 10-15 decimal land, which for them is, of course, a cursed life. They have converted the verandas and gardens into graveyard, as they have to live and die on the same small piece of land. Due to this, the social activities and cultural-economical existence of Adivasis is dying. People are forced and bound to forget their language, culture, traditions and customs.

The people of Bokaro have to suffer a lot due to this huge displacement crisis. Bokaro Steel factory engulfed the land of 65 villages while dozens of other villages were moved because of BTPS, CTPS electricity production centers. In pretext of development Tenughat Dam marred the lives of people of 35 villages. Gunpowder factory in Gomiya also destroyed several villages. Now due to the release of Methane gas from the industrial areas has put the future of many villages in danger.

The then Bihar government acquired 31435 acres of land and gave it to Bokaro Steel Plant. Many thousands acres of such land was acquired for rehabilitation. In this spree of land acquisition, lands of small farmers were taken, which was their only asset in life. Houses were destroyed and as compensation a very meager amount was given to them.or every decimal, 25 Paise-25 Rupees was given as compensation and even this small amount failed to reach the right hands especially women. Today, no one knows where these women are.

Jharkhand is the main producer of minerals. In 1973, during nationalization of mines, 80 percent coal production used to be conducted in underground mines. Later, open mines became popular. During 1991-92, 82.8 percent of CCL mines were open cast, which was increased in 1994-95 to 86.7 percent. According to experts, agricultural land is sacrificed for open cast mines.

Electricity is the most important component for industrial development. Fortunately or unfortunately, Jharkhand due to its rich natural resources, offer coal and other components, required for major electricity production purposes.

After 1974, post the inauguration of Damodar Valley Project, hydro-electricity was produced from Tilaiya Dam, Maithan Dam, Panchet Dam, Suwarnarekha Multi-purpose Dam, Mayurakshi Dam etc. Later with coal being used as raw material to produce electricity, Chandrapur Thermal Power, Bokaro Thermal Power, Tenughat Thermal Power, Patratu Thermal Power etc. were developed. This was the zenith for displacement and miseries of the locals. They got displaced from their land and outsiders got employment over it.

Kashinath Kevat tells us, "This is the year of displaced as Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill has to be tabled in the Parliament. We can't reject this bill that despite of faults includes good points as well. We formed a forum 'Insaaf' and presented our views on the draft to Prime Minister through a letter. We urged the PM that this law should be applied to all 100-acre land acquisition in rural areas and 50-acre land acquisition in urban areas. Secondly, the Bill's draft makes consent of at least 80 per cent landowners mandatory if acquisition is for private projects. We welcome this recommendation and suggest that the agreement of this 80 percent should be transparent and half of this 80 percent must be women."

The Charkha Development Communication network feels that the proposed Bill, which is controversial, hopes to provide a solution to problems of displaced -a solution that will allow the future generation to live peacefully on their land. As for the past, nothing on this earth can compensate for the troubles caused By Aloka (ANI)

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/displaced-lost-victims-land-acquisition-082810244.html

Development Planning: Repeating Mistakes

Many people on the media and elsewhere commented about failure of the 'wada na todo' abhiyan wherein Governement of India aka the Planning Commission took help of civil society in generating the mood of participatory process in planning for the 12th Plan. The activists, intellectuals and organisations who participated in the activities cried foul the way the approach paper dealt with the issues concerning serious for the effective and 'inclusive planning'. Given the election centric planning in India what more could have be apt to follow what politics of the nation dictates. We the people of India were repeatdly promised moon even though we fail to generate enough food and water for our people. India is going to urbanised and industrialised further in the coming periods, we fail to address the need for the food security except the pending bills, the spatial planning through the regional approach takes back seat, where in budgetory planning remains at the peak.

One can only assume the economist centric planning strategies has limitation even though they might claim to have reduced poverty which is statistically remains insignificant given the failure to reduce the income disparity. The HDI report suggest the improvement in the vital indicators but experts have suggested that we might miss most of the Millineum Development Goal (MDG) target set for 2015. The lagging states even though have steamed up their performance much needs to be done to eradicate abjuct state of apathy in many socio-economic indicators. Why developed states like Gujarat performs poorly in education and health where as the lagging state move faster to bridge the difference. The theory taking roots that economic development does not guarentee the social development, then what more the planning approach is going to acheive. The declining small and medium town through out country presents grim picture for the ever increasing urbanisation in the country. The lack of development for the improvement in the quality of life in these urban centres are bringing the investment elsewhere for creating new urban areas adding to the urban chaos.

Planning commission needs to leave certain planning to the state and local bodies let the spatial planning for the regions being made based on the scientific investigation before any investment plan being materialised for the region. The huge program investment in the way of MNREGA or the watershed development cannot happen without specific planning for the region, otherwise planned efforts would have negligible impact.